Ziebolz



Feb. 21, 1956 H. ZIEBOLZ LAMINATING WEB GUIDE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledSept. 14. 1955 INVENTOR. 142% 1956 H. ZIEBOLZ 2,735,630

LAMINATING WEB GUIDE Filed Sept. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 3 H 7 BYJferbe i United States Patent LAMINATENG WEB onion Herbert Ziebolz,Chicago, Ill., assignor to Askania Re t! lator Company, Chicago, 111., acorporation of iilinois Application September 14, 1953, Serial No.379,812

6 Claims. (Cl. 242-46) The present invention relates to laminatingapparatus of the type wherein a plurality of webs are continually fedlongitudinally into a combining device, typically a system of rollsbetween pairs of closely adjacent ones of which adjacent webs are fed inface to face relation, whereby they become adhesively joined. Moreparticularly the invention relates to automatic web-guiding systems bymeans of which an edge of a slave, or second web is maintained incontinuous substantial registration with a corresponding edge of amaster or first web, by laterally moving the second web to correct itslateral displacement from such registration.

A problem that is involved in guiding plural webs with correspondingedges maintained in continuous registration arises from the fact that itis common for commercially Wound rolls to have a so-called telescopicformation, that is, with succeeding laps of the wound web progressivelydisplaced axially of the roll. In high speed unwinding apparatus, suchas is used in laminating machinery, comprising duplicate unwindingdevices respectively for unwinding different rolls and feeding webs thatare stripped from them to combining rolls, it has proven impossible tomaintain a satisfactory approximation to continuous registration of thewebs, or of single corresponding edges of each, by means of stationarydetectors that develop signals of senses indicative of opposite lateralweb movement, either by attempting to guide each web in a zero pathleading to registration at the combining mechanism, or by attempting toshift the slave web in response to the signal output of a detector thatsenses the lateral position of the master web.

A better approach to solution of the problem is one disclosed by UnitedStates Patent No. 2,641,416, granted- June 9, 1953, to McLeary andLowey. In the system disclosed by that patent, both of a pair of webedge lateral position detectors are mounted on a common support that ismovable laterally of, and inwardly and outwardly relative to the pathsof corresponding edges of a pair of webs that are being fed to combiningrolls, and which corresponding edges are to be maintained inregistration. The different detectors are positioned on the movablesupport respectively for sensing the positions of the different webedges, and each produces an operating signal upon a departure from apreselected positional relation between itself and the web edge withwhich it is cooperative. A first servomechanism is connected to themovable detector support, and is operated by the signal output of afirst one of the detectors, which is cooperative with an edge of thefirst or master web, to move the support (and both of the detectorsthereon supported) to establish or restore the preselected positionalrelation of the first detector to the first web edge, upon generation bythe first detector of a signal output indicative of a variance from thatrelation. In other words, the first detector and servomechanism operateto make the support and both detectors follow lateral shifts of thefirst web.

A second servomechanism is arranged to laterally shift 2,735,630Patented Feb. 21, 1956 the second web in response to a signal generatedby the second dectector that is indicative of avariance from thepreselected positional relation between the second detector and secondweb edge. In other words, the second detector and second servomechanismcauses the second web to follow the support and the second detector whenthe latter are moved in response to a signal from the first detector. Inthe system, the sequence of operation is that the support and bothdetectors follow lateral shift of the first web edge, and the second webis thereupon shifted to follow the second detector, to register its edgewith the first web edge.

The present invention is an improvement of the patented apparatusdescribed briefly above, and its primary object is to minimize lag ofinitiation of the second web shifting operation, after anoperation-initiating lateral movement of the first web, occurring due tothe time lapse during which occur response of the first servomechanism,movement of at commencement of generation of a signal by the seconddetector, and initiation of response to that signal by the secondservomechanism. In brief, the invention proposes employment of ananticipatory control signal, generated by the first detector, andapplied to the second servomechanism to initiate operation thereof uponsensing by the first detector of a lateral shift of the first Web edge,and effective to initiate operation of the second servomechanism toshift the second web to follow the first web edge substantiallysimultaneously with the movement of the support and detectors, to followthe first web edge. Since the signal output of the first detector isdependent solely on the positional relation between the first detectorand the first web edge, as their preselected positional relation isestablished, that signal is eliminated, and thereafter the secondservomechanism is controlled solely by the second detector. As suggestedby the following exemplary disclosures, the specific arrangement ofapparatus embodying the invention may take a wide variety of forms.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig, 1 is a schematic plan showing a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modification.

Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical section showing a third embodiment of theinvention.

First referring to Fig. l, a first web 5 and a second web 6 areillustrated as being continuously fed between a pair of combining rolls7, that secure them together adhesively under pressure. Provision ismade for laterally shifting the second or slave web 6 by a reversibleservomechanism, which, for convenience and since it shifts the secondweb is termed a second servomechanism. This second servomechanismincludes a power unit shown as a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly8, 9, and a relay regulator having a control element moveable in opositedirections from a neutral position wherein the power unit or servomotor8, 9 is maintained stopped, respectively to operate the latter inopposite directions. The control element is shown as the jet pipe 10 ofa conventional hydraulic jet pipe regulator assembly 11. In such aregulator, the jet pipe, which continuously discharges a jet of liquidunder substantial pressure toward a pair of receiver ports 12, ispivoted to swing from a neutral postion wherein it is equally inregistration withv ports 12, to increase and decrease its registrationwith the different ports in a sense depending on the direction of itsswing. In the neutral position of jet pipe 11 equal pressures aredeveloped in the receiver ports 12, and in the opposite ends of cylinder8, which are connected to those ports, and piston 9 is maintainedstationary. Upon swing of the jet pipe from its neutral position, ahigher pressure is developed in the port 12 toward which it swings andwith which it has the greater degree of registration, and piston 9 ismoved away from the cylinder and connected to that port.

The means for laterally shifting the second web 6 is shown as a slidablesupport 13 for the roll 14 from which that web is stripped, support 13being connected to piston 9 by an operating rod 15.

In accordance with the system of the above-identified patent, theposition of a certain edge 16 of the first web is continually sensed bya first detector 17. This detector is shown as being of a pneumaticdischarge type, a detailed description of difierent forms of which willbe made with respect to Fig. 3, and which is of a kind to which agaseous medium under pressure is continuously supplied and dischargedacross the path of lateral positional variation of the web edge 16, todevelop a signal pressure the magnitude of which depends upon, andvaries with changes in the positional relation between detector 17 andweb edge 16, in directions extended laterally of the latter, and byreason of greater or less interception of the discharged air stream bythe marginal portion of Web 5 adjacent its edge 16. The signal pressureis developed in a tubular element or chamber 18 of the detector 17. Inpneumatic discharge web edge detector systems, and guide systemsemploying such detectors, it is usual to regard a certain magnitude ofdeveloped signal air pressure as a neutral condition, which may beestablished by a system of return springs biasing a motor of a relaycontroller to a neutral position in opposition to pressure of thatmagnitude. Such pressure magnitude represents and accompanies a certainpreselected zero or neutral positional relation between the airdischarge orifice of the detector and the web edge, as crossing of thecenter axis of the former by the latter, and increase and decrease ofthe signal pressure from that preselected magnitude respectivelyindicates displacements of detector and web edge from the preselectedone, respectively in opposite directional senses, and in directions thatextend laterally of the web edge, as indicated by the arrows 19, 20 ofFig. 1.

In Fig. 1 it is assumed that detector 17 is of a type that developspressures of magnitudes greater than the neutral or no-signal pressuremagnitude when the sense of displacement of web and detector from theirpreselected zero positional relation is such that the web is displacedrightward from the zero relation and relative to I the detector, or inthe direction of arrow 20, while opposite relative displacements,wherein the web edge is displaced leftward from its zero positionalrelation to detector 17, or in the direction of arrow 19, result indevelopment of pressures of less magnitude than the neutral magnitudes.As will appear, another type of detector develops pressure changes ofopposite sense to those assumed in cases of displacements in similardirections.

The pressure-developing tube or chamber 18 is connected by a signalpressure line 21 to an expansible chamber 22 of a fluid pressureresponsive signal motor 23, which chamber is partially enclosed by amovable Wall in the form of a diaphragm 24. Diaphragm 24 is coupled by alink 25 to operate a servomechanism, conveniently termed a firstservomechanism. Similar to the second servomechanism 10, 9, 8, it maycomprise a jet pipe regulator 26, including a jet pipe 27 that controlsoperation of a power unit in the form of a cylinder and piston assembly23, 29. Jet pipe 27, as jet pipe 10, constitutes a relay control elementthat is movable, from a neutral position wherein the servomotor,cylinder and piston assembly 28, 29 is maintained stopped, in oppositedirections respectively to move piston 29 in opposite directions. Piston29 is connected by a piston rod 30 to a support 31 that is mounted formovement laterally of and toward and away from the paths of the firstweb edge 16 and the corresponding edge 32 of the second web 6. Thisservomechanism and its manner of connection are such that the signaldeveloped upon departure of the first web edge 16 and first detector 17from their preselected zero positional relation, and appearing as a de-4 V v parture from neutral magnitude of the pressure developed indetector chamber 18 and exerted in chamber 22 of signal motor 23, swingsjet pipe 27 and operates piston 29 to move support 31 in a direction tomove detector 17 to reestablish the zero positional relation, whereuponjet pipe 27 is restored to its neutral position and piston 29 isstopped. The zero or no-signal magnitude of the developed pressure maybe set by a device 33 for selecting the magnitude of zeroing forceexerted by one of the jet pipe centering or return springs 34.

The detector support 31, that carries first detector 17, and that is bythe relay system 23, 27, 29 moved to cause detector 17 to follow lateralvariations in the position of the first web edge 16, also has mountedthereon a second detector 35 that is arranged for cooperation with thesecond web edge 32, to sense the lateral position thereof relative toitself, and to develop a signal that varies oppositely with relativedisplacement in opposite senses between itself and web edge 32, fromtheir preselected zero positional relation, in directions that extendlaterally of web edge 32, which are indicated by arrows 36, 37 ofFig. 1. As in the case of detector 17, detector 35 is assumed to be of atype that develops a preselected zerosignal magnitude of air pressure,which may be selected by adjustment at 38 or 39 of the zeroing forceexerted on jet pipe 10 by its return spring 40, and which is developedwhile web edge 36 and detector 35 occupy their preselected zeropositional relation. Detector 35 also is arranged to develop operatingsignal pressures of magnitudes other than the zero signal pressureduring displacement of the detector and web edge from their preselectedzero positional relation, and which operating pressures are greater andless than the zero signal magnitude respectively when the web isdisplaced from zero relation to detector 35 in the directions of arrows37 and 36.

The signal pressure output of detector 35 is developed in a tube orchamber 41 that is connected by a signal pressure line 42 to a chamber43 of a second pressureresponsive signal motor 44, which chamber 43 ispartially enclosed by a movable wall, shown as a diaphragm 45, and thatis linked by a rod 46 to swing jet pipe 10 in opposite directionsrespectively as the signal pressure developed by detector 35 exceeds oris less than the zero-signal pressure, respectively to operate theescond power unit 8, 9, and move web 6 to establish the preselected Zeropositional relationship between the latter and detector 35.

The mechanism so far described, which is arranged substantially inaccordance with the above-identified patent, acts to cause web edge 32to follow lateral positional changes of web edge 16, by first movingsupport 31 and both detectors 17, 35 to follow web edge 16, displacingdetector 35 from zero positional relation to web edge 32, and shiftingweb 6 to reestablish that positional relation, which corresponds toregistration with the corresponding edge 16 of web 5.

In accordance with the present invention, the laminating apparatusdescribed above is provided, as an improvement, with means for imposingon the second servomechanism 44, 10, 9 an anticipatory operating signalfrom the first detector. Such signal, generated and so applied uponoccurrence of a relative displacement from the preselected zeropositional relation between the first detector 17 and the first web edge16, is effective to operate the second servomechanism in spite of thefact that at that time the preselected zero positional relation mayexist between the second detector 35 and second web edge 32. Thearrangement for transmitting the signal from the first detector 17 tothe second mechanism, is such that, in response to the directional senseof the displacement between the first detector and first web edge andthe consequent sense of the signal, the second servomechanism will actto shift second web 6 in the same direction as the detector support 31and the two detectors 17, 35 are moved by the first servornechanism inresponse to the same signal from the first detector 17. Thereby,

amass shift of web 6 by detector 17 anticipates a later shifting bydetector 35 as a consequence of a displacement thereof from zeropositional relation to second web edge 32, which would occur uponmovement of detector 35 with support 31.

Referring once more to the mode of operation of the prior art system,without the anticipatory control means of the present invention, it willbe recalled that a spontaneous lateral movement of first web edge 16,say in the direction of arrow 19, results in a displacement of the webedge from zero relation to detector 17 in the directional sense of arrow19. This results in a movement of support 31 and both detectors 17, 35in the direction of arrow 19 to follow edge 16. Such movement ofdetector 35 results in displacement of the second web edge 32 from zerorelation to detector 35 in the directional sense of arrow 37, that is,in the opposite directional sense to that of the operation-originatingdisplacement of first web edge 16 from zero relation to first detector17. This opposite directional sense of displacement or" second web edge32 serves to generate in second etector 35 a signal of the sense that iseffective to shift second web 6 in the direction of arrow 36, the samedirection in which support 31 and detectors 17, 35 previously have beenshifted to follow the first web edge. Thus, relatively oppositedirectional senses of displacements of the different web edges fromtheir zero positional relations to the cooperating detectors causemovements of the detectors and of the second web 6 in the samedirection.

The same characteristic mode of directional operation applies to theauxiliary or anticipatory system of the present invention, for actuatingthe second servomechanism by a signal generated by the first detector.The anticipatory signal and the signal output of the second detector areso related and so applied to the control member of the secondservomechanism in respect to direction-indicating senses of the signals,that during relative displacements between the diiferent web edges andthe respectively cooperative detectors, which are paired as 16, 17 and32, 35, wherein the directional senses of displacement of the differentweb edges are in opposite directions, indicated by pairing 19 with 37and 20 with 36, the signal from each detectors, as applied to the secondservomechanism, is effective to operate the second servomechanism toshift web 6 in the same lateral direction.

In the specific arrangement of Fig. 1, the anticipatory signal systemcomprises a branch signal pipe 48 that is connected to the signalpressure chamber of the first detector 17, and to second expansiblechamber signal motor means linked to the second servomechanism controlmember, here jet pipe 10. In Fig. 1, since detectors 17, are of the sametype, and therefore generate operating signals of opposite senses duringweb edge displacements from zero positions relative to them that are ofopposite directional senses, and since in the case of such oppositedirectional displacements between web edge 16 and detector 17, and webedge 32 and detector 35, web 6 is to be shifted in the same direction,the signal motor devices that respectively respond to the signals fromthe different detectors may be connected direct to control member 10, toexert forces thereon in the same direction when energized by signals ofopposite senses that is, pressures respectively greater and less thanzero signal pressures. In other words, with the assumed type ofdetectors, if web edge 16 moves relative to detector 17 in the directionof arrow 19, signal pressure transmitted by line 48 will drop. Ifdetector 35 moves relative to web edge 32 in the direction of arrow 36,so that web edge 32 is displaced in the opposite direction, indicated byarrow 37, pressure transmitted by pipe 42 will rise. These signals ofopposite senses must, in accordance with the intended mode of operation,both be effective to shift web 6 in the same direction, that of arrow36.

Therefore, they are so transferred to control element 10, as to move itin the same direction. This is readily accomplished by connection of theauxiliary signal pipe 48 to a second signal motor expansible chamber 49having a movable wall so related to that of the first chamber 43, and soconnected to the servomechanism control element that variations inpressures of opposite senses in the two chambers 43, 49 move element 10in thesame direction. In the case of the assumed similar type ofdetectors this is accomplished conveniently by arranging the secondchamber 49 to the opposite side of diaphragm from chamber 43.

Fig. 2 shows a modification wherein a summarizer type of signaltransmitting device is arranged to. transmit to a second servomechanismthe signal outputs developed by signal motors respectively responsive tothe first and second detectors 50, 51. Control element 52 of the secondservomechanism, that operates to shift the second web 53, relative tothe first web 54 to register its detected edge 55 with the correspondingfirst web edge 56 is connected to the summarizer output. The summarizer,designated 57, is of conventional whifiletree arrangement having afloating bar 58 pivotally connected at a point between its ends to anoutput transmitting link 59, and its diiferent arms pivotally connectedto connecting links 60, 61 that respectively are longitudinally moved bythe respective movable Walls 62, 63 of the different expansible chamber,pressure responsive signal motors 64, 65.

Again assuming detectors 50, 51 to be of the same type, and to generatesignal pressures of opposite operating senses during displacements fromzero relation of the respective cooperative web edge-detector pairs 5t56 and 51, 55 that are of relatively opposite directional senses, themotors 64, 65 are arranged relative to Whitfietree bar 58 to move thearms of the latter in the same direction during opposite variations ofthe signal pressures delivered to them respectively. Such arrangement isshown as a relatively reversed disposition of motors 64, 65 with respectto directions in which their movable walls are moved by the same sensesof variations of pressures exerted within them. Similar to the auxiliarysignal system of Fig. 1, the first detector 56 delivers to motor 6% asignal that is efiective to move member 52 in the direction to shiftsecond web 53 in the same direction as detectors 5t 51 are moved inresponse to the same signal.

Fig. 3 shows a system that in general is similar to that of Fig. 2, but,in illustration of the wide flexibility in specific arrangements thatmay be employed, includes fluid discharge detectors of different typesfor detecting the positions of the corresponding edges of the differentwebs, and that generate signals of the same sense when directionalsenses of displacements between the respective cooperative webedge-detector pairs are opposite.

Th first detector 68, which senses the position of the edge 69 of afirst web 70, is shown as being of the type assumed to be used in Fig.1, including a discharge tube 71 having an orifice 72 for discharging astream of .air under pressure, delivered by a supply line 73, to a receiver port 74 that is spaced from it across a throat 75 that providesclearance for passage of the marginal portion of web adjacent itsdetected edge 65. In this type of detector it will be apparent that asthe web edge 6? moves in the direction of arrow 76, the marginal portionof the web will progressively increase interception of the air streamdirected toward receiver port 74, and result in progressively decreasingpressure developed in the signal pressure pipe 77, while lateral webedge movement in the opposite direction will result in increasing signalpressure. It is this type of detector that has been assumed to be usedin Figs. 1 and 2, and the relay and servomechanism systems areillustrated as connected for operation by such detectors.

The second detector 78 comprises a discharge tube 79 the interior ofwhich provides a signal pressure chamber, having an orifice 80 and it issupplied, as from line 73, through a pressure ditferential-developing,or isolating orifice 81. A marginal portion of the second Web 82,adjacent the edge 83 thereof that corresponds to the first web edge 69,overlies orifice 80 to a greater or less extent depending on the lateralposition of edge 83, thereby more or less blocking free discharge of airfrom orifice 80, and increasing and decreasing pressure in-tube 79respectively as edge 83 moves in the direction of arrows 84, 85. By asignal pressure tube 86, pressure developed in tubular chamber 79 isexerted in an expansible signal motor chamber 87, the movable Wall 88 ofwhich is linked to one arm of a whifiletree Summarizer 89. The other armof the summarizer is linked to the movable wall 90 of an auxiliary oranticipating signal motor 91, the expansible chamber of which isconnected by a signal pressure line 92 with the receiver orifice 74 ofthe first detector 68. Since both detectors 68, 78 produce pressuresgreater than the zero signal pressure when displacements of thecooperative web edge-detector pairs 69, 68 and 83, 78 are in oppositedirectional senses, in order to provide proper directional shift of web32 by them respectively, the motors 91, and 87, 88 are connected to movethe output element 93 of the summarizer in the same one direction uponincrease of the pressures in both motor chambers and in the oppositesame direction upon decrease of those pressures. Output member 93 iscoupled to operate the oppositely movable control element of a secondservomechanism 94, such element again being shown as the regulator jetpipe 95 of a hydraulic relay system. The output member 96 of thisservomechanism is connected to shift web 86 laterally upon operation ofthe servomechanism.

In each of Figs. 2 and 3, as in the case of Fig. l, a firstservomechanism 97, having a control element 98 that is movable inopposite directions from a neutral position, respectively to efiectopposite operation of a power unit or servomotor 99, is arranged to movea support 109, that carries both the first and the second detector, indirections, selected by the sense of signal output of the firstdetector, to follow lateral movements of the detected edge of the firstweb.

It will be understood that there are many possible variations andmodifications of the specific structural arrangements herein disclosed,without departing from the spirit of the invention, and to obtain theadvantages thereby, and that the scope of the invention is to bedetermined solely from the appended claims, rather than by reference tothe above-described exemplary disclosures.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for the continuous lamination of a plurality of websbetween combining rolls, and including a system for maintaining an edgeof a second web substantially in registration with a corresponding edgeof a first web as both are fed to said rolls, and wherein said systemcomprises a support movable laterally of and to- Ward and away from thetravel path of said first web edge, a first detector mounted on andmovable with said support for cooperation with said first web edge todevelop a signal of a sense corresponding to the direction ofdisplacement of said support and detector from a preselected positionalrelation to said first web edge, a first servomotor system controlled bysignals developed by said first detector and operatively connected withsaid support to move it and said detector to said positional relationupon development of a signal by the latter, a second detector mounted onand movable with said support for cooperation with said second web edgeto develop a signal of a sense corresponding to the direction ofdisplacement of said second web edge from a preselected positionalrelation to said second detector which corresponds to registration ofsaid web edges, and second servomotor mechanism controlled by a signaldeveloped by said second detector and operable thereby to move saidsecond web laterally to establish said positional relation andregistration of its said edge; the improvement comprising signaltransmitting means connected with said first detector and secondservomotor mechanism to transmit to the latter a signal for operating itto move said second web in the direction of movement of said support anddetectors that coresponds to the sense of the signal developed by saidfirst detector.

2. In apparatus for the continuous lamination of a plurality of websbetween combining rolls, and including system for maintaining an edge ofa second web substantially in registration with a corresponding edge ofa first web as both are fed to said rolls, and wherein'said systemcomprises a support movable laterally of and toward and away from thetravel path of said first web edge, a first detector mounted on andmovable with said support for cooperation with said first web edge todevelop a signal of a sense corresponding to the direction ofdisplacement of said support and detector from a preselected positionalrelation to said first web edge, a first servomotor system controlled bysignals developed by said first detector and operatively connected withsaid support to move it and said detector to said positional relationupon development of a signal by the latter, a second detector mounted onand movable with said support for cooperation with said second web edgeto develop a signal of a sense corresponding to the direction ofdisplacement of said second web edge from a preselectedpositionalrelation to said second detector which corresponds to registration ofsaid web edges, and second servomotor mechanism controlled by a signaldeveloped by said second detector and operable thereby to move saidsecond web laterally to establish said positional relation andregistration of its said edge; the improvement comprising signalsummarizing and transmitting means havim a pair of inputs respectivelyconnected with the different said detectors for energization by signalsthat the latter develop, and a signal output connected with said secondservomotor mechanism for operating the latter upon development of asignal by either of said detectors, and said signal summarizing andtransmitting means being arranged to produce at its said output upondevelopment of simultaneous signals by said detectors, a servomotormechanism operating signal comprising components re: spectively havingsenses corresponding to the sense of the signals developed by therespective detectors.

3. In apparatus for the continuous lamination of a plurality of websbetween combining rolls, and including a system for maintaining an edgeof a second web substantially in registration with a corresponding edgeof a first web as both are fed to said rolls, and wherein said systemcomprises a support movable laterally of and toward and away from thetravel path of said first web edge, a first detector mounted on andmovable with said support for cooperation with said first web to sensedisplacement of said first detector and web edge from a preselected zeropositional relation and to develop signals during displacement of saiddetector from said zero positional relation, which signals are ofopposite senses respectively as displacement of said detector is indirections extended outward and inward of said first Web edge, a firstservomotor mechanism controlled by signals developed by said firstdetector and operatively connected with said support to move it toreturn said detector to said positional relation upon development of asignal thereby, a second servomotor mechanism operable by signals ofopposite senses respectively to move said second web laterally inopposite directions, and a second detector mounted on and movable withsaid support for cooperation with said second web edge to sensedisplacement of the latter from a preselected zero positionalrelationship to said second detector that corresponds to registration ofsaid second web edge from its said zero positional relation to saidsecond detector and which are of opposite senses respectively as suchdisplacement is in inward and outward directions with respect to saidsecond web edge;

the improvement comprising signal transmitting means having a pair ofsignal inputs respectively connected with the different said detectorsand an output connected with said second servomotor mechanism forcontrolling it, said means being arranged to impose on said secondservomotor mechanism signals of the same sense as developed by each ofsaid detectors during their relative displacements from their said zeropositional relations to the web edges with which they respectively arecooperative, and which displacements are in relatively opposite senseswith respect to directions that extend laterally of said web edges.

4. In apparatus for the continuous lamination of a plurality of websbetween combining rolls, and including a detector support mounted formovement laterally of and toward and away from corresponding edges offirst and second such webs, which edges are to be maintainedsubstantially in registration as the webs travel to said rolls, firstand second fluid discharge web edge position detectors, both mounted onsaid support for respective cooperation with marginal portions of thedifferent said webs adjacent their said corresponding edges, and each ofsaid detectors being arranged to develop a fluid pressure that is of apreselected magnitude during existence of a preselected zero positionalrelation between itself and the web edge with which it is cooperative,and that decreases and increases respectively during displacements fromsaid relation in opposite directions extended transverse to the webedge, a servomechanism including a reversible power unit operativelyconnected with said support and controlled by pressure developed by saidfirst detector for moving said support and detectors, in response tovariance from said preselected magnitude of the latter said pressure, toposition said first detector in said Zero relation to said first webedge, a fluid operated reversible servomotor that is operable to shiftsaid second web laterally, and a relay regulator connected to controldelivery of operating fluid to said servomotor and having a controlelement that is movable from a neutral position wherein said servomotoris maintained stopped in opposite directions respectively to operatesaid motor in opposite directions; a control system for said regulator,comprising first pressure sensitive motor means connected with saidfirst detector, having a movable output member connected with saidcontrol element and operable by changes in pressure developed by saidfirst detector to move said control element and operate said servomotorin directions to shift said second web in the same direction as saidsupport and detectors are moved by said servomechanism in response tothe same change in pressure, and second pressure sensitive motor meansconnected with said second detector, having a movable output memberconnected with said control member, and operable in response to varianceof the pressure developed by said second detector from said preselectedmagnitude accompanying displacement of said second web edge from itspreselected zero positional relation to said second detector, to movesaid control element and operate said servomotor in directions to shiftsaid second web to said positional relation to said second detector.

5. In apparatus for the continuous lamination of a plurality of websbetween combining rolls, and including a detector support mounted formovement laterally of and toward and away from corresponding edges offirst and second such webs, which edges are to be maintainedsubstantially in registration as the webs travel to said rolls, firstand second fluid discharge web edge position detectors, both mounted onsaid support for respective cooperation with marginal portions of thedifferent said webs adjacent their said corresponding edges, and each ofsaid detectors being arranged to develop a fluid pressure that is of apreselected magnitude during existence of a preselected zero positionalrelation between itself and the web edge with which it is cooperative,and that decreases and increases respectively during displacements fromsaid relation in opposite directions extended transverse to the webedge, a servomechanism including a reversible power unit operativelyconnected with said support and controlled by pressure developed by saidfirst detector for moving said support and detectors, in response tovariance from said preselected magnitude of the latter said pressure, toposition said first detector in said zero positional relation to saidfirst web edge, a fluid operated reversible servomotor that is operableto shift said second web laterally, and a relay regulator connected tocontrol delivery of operating fluid to said servomotor and having acontrol element that is movable from a neutral position wherein saidservomotor is maintained stopped, in opposite directions respectively tooperate said servomotor to shift said second web in opposite directions;the combination with a signal motor for operating said regulator inresponse to variance in pressure developed by said second detector fromsaid preselected magnitude, said motor having an expansible chamberconnected with said second detector, a movable wall partially enclosingsaid chamber and an output member movable by said wall, of anticipatorycontrol means for operating said regulator in response to changes inpressure developed by said first detector, comprising an auxiliary motorhaving an expansible chamber connected with said first detector, amovable wall partially enclosing the latter chamber, and an outputelement connected with said movable wall, and mechanical Summarizermeans having a movable output element operatively connected with saidcontrol element and a pair of movable input members each coupled witlbadifferent one of said output members in relationship to move said outputand control elements in the same directions as a result of changes inpressures developed by the different detectors upon their displacement,relative to the web edges with which respectively they are cooperative,in opposite directions from their respective said zero positionalrelations to said edges.

6. In laminating apparatus that includes first and second web edgeposition detectors mounted for movement laterally of and toward and awayfrom corresponding edges of a pair of webs traveling to combining rolls,and which edges are to be maintained substantially in registration, areversible servo-mechanism connected with both said detectors for movingthem simultaneously and equally, controlled by a first of said detectorsthat is cooperative with a first one of said web edges, and operated bya signal developed by said first detector to move both said detectors tofollow lateral movements of said first web edge, and a reversibleservomotor operable in opposite directions to shift said second web inopposite directions and relative to said first web; in combination, afirst control system energized by signals developed by said firstdetector and operating said servomotor to shift said second web in thedirections of movement of said detectors as they follow said first edge,and a second control system energized by signals developed by saidsecond detector and operating said servomotor to shift it to apreselected positional relation to said second detector wherein saidsecond web edge is positioned substantially in registration with saidfirst web edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,641,416 McCleary et al. June 9, 1953

